DESMOND KOUTSO
Lancaster,CA
Summary
Professional Summary
Compassionate and dedicated caregiver with strong experience in providing personalized patient care and managing diverse medical needs. Recently accepted into the RN program at Antelope Valley College, committed to advancing my skills and knowledge to deliver exceptional care and serve my community. Highly organized with proficiency in medication management, appointment coordination, and patient support. Known for building strong relationships with patients and teams, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor in fast-paced environments. Eager to leverage my caregiving experience and nursing education to contribute to quality patient outcomes and continuous improvement in healthcare settings.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Patient Care Technician , (Surgical Unit and PACU)
Palmdale Regional Medical Center
38600 Medical Center Dr, Palmdale, CA 93551
09.2024 - Current
- Provide direct patient care by assisting with activities of daily living, ensuring comfort and safety.
- Facilitate patient transport within the hospital, including picking up patients from various units and safely transporting them to Pre-op or other departments.
- Prepare patients for procedures, including monitoring vital signs via 5-lead EKG, applying thromboguards, and preparing the surgical site (shaving and prepping areas as needed).
- Support patient nutrition by delivering meals, offering fluids, and assisting with feeding as required.
- Collaborate with nursing staff to transport patients from PACU to other units, ensuring proper handling and patient safety.
- Safely assist in transferring patients, equipment, and supplies between rooms, adhering to safety protocols.
- Execute various errands, including retrieving and delivering supplies, specimens, instruments, and test results, ensuring timely and accurate deliveries.
- Assist medical teams (including anesthesiologists) during turnover processes in the OR, ensuring smooth transitions and readiness for the next procedure.
- Supply non-sterile equipment to the OR team, maintaining proper inventory levels for all procedures.
- Organize and stock the OR, working with nurses and scrub techs to ensure efficient setup for each case.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized OR environment to support optimal patient care and procedural flow.
PATIENT OBSERVATION ATTENDANT (LEAD)
Crothall Healthcare-Antelope Valley Medical Center
1600 West Avenue J, Lancaster, CA 93534 (AVH)
06.2023 - 12.2025
- Visually and audibly monitors the assigned patient's condition and behavior at all times.
- Completes observation reports at established interval.
- Takes initiative in compassionately rendering service or responding to needs. Interacts hospitably, cheerfully and supportively with staff, patients, visitors and work colleagues.
- Remains at the bedside of assigned patient at all times unless relieved by an appropriate staff member.
- Verbally redirects the patient from engaging in at-risk behaviors.
- Seeks help or advice as soon as possible when patient appears to be in medical distress or poses a threat, and escalates to assigned medical professionals.
- Participates in collaborative identification and reporting of patient safety issues. Assures patient environment is safe; reports any safety hazards to the charge nurse. Removes visible hazards and reports as appropriate.
- Assists in calming and/or reorienting patient in cases of agitation or confusion.
- Assists with keeping patient's room safe and orderly.
- Accompanies patient when diagnostic testing is required.
- Immediately summons the nursing staff if the patient requires assistance, control, or other nursing interventions, or exhibits unusual behavior or verbalizations. Immediately reports any potentially dangerous behavior or concerning conversations to the nurse.
- Participates in hand-off of pertinent information/behavior about assigned patient when arriving on unit and upon completion of shift assignment. Arranges coverage around meal break times with nurse and informs nurse prior to leaving patient for any reason.
- Assists patient with ordering dietary tray and setting up of patient's meal tray; assists with basic positioning of patient; assists with patient wheelchair rides and/or ambulation if patient is stable and gait has been previously determined safe by assigned staff nurse.
- Responds rapidly and thoroughly to emergencies, special needs, etc.
- Accepts suggestions and direction from supervisors and hospital staff.
- Demonstrates knowledge of department policies and procedures. Honors department's attendance, break, behavior, dress, personal hygiene, and safety codes.
- Honors all confidentiality and other regulatory requirements.
- Accepts and absorbs department and hospital education program.
- Assists other associates as necessary. Responds to direction as provided.
- Answer phone calls and follow directives as instructed by management team and house supervisor.
- Train new employees on how to perform assigned duties following company protocol.
CNA (PRN)
Prestige Assisted Living
43454 30th St W, Lancaster , CA 93536
04.2022 - 08.2024
- Answered call lights and supported patient comfort and safety by adjusting bed rails and equipment.
- Promoted good oral and personal hygiene by aiding patients with shaving, bathing and teeth brushing.
- Checked patient vitals such as temperature, blood pressure , Oxygen saturation.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Delivered individualized patient care by recording vital signs, documenting observations, administering treatments and evaluating patient needs.
- Cared for residents in assisted living facility and delivered high-quality support to meet needs.
- Promoted good oral and personal hygiene by aiding patients with shaving, bathing, and teeth brushing.
- Oversaw and maintained patients' rooms, group living areas, and nurse stations.
Paid Intern / Volunteer
Antelope Valley Partners For Health
44226 10th St W, Lancaster, CA 93534
07.2023 - 12.2023
- Communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Engage in coalition meetings with other members and staff.
- Facilitate presentations in local high schools to share information about substance use awareness and mental health.
- Co-host workshops with Youth Department staff revolving topics of mental health, community building and other.
- Participate in periodic required trainings
- Special projects and other administrative duties as assigned.
- Other duties as assigned.
Customer Service, Maintenance, Unloader.
Antelope Valley Partners For Health
44226 10th St West Lancaster CA.
02.2022 - 04.2023
- Answering and directing phone calls.
- Talking with customers and directing them to the right persons for the resources they need.
- Unloading trucks.
- emptying trash bags.
- maintaining restrooms clean.
- Unloaded packages with care and placed in proper staging area.
- Loaded packages onto pallets and into staging areas as directed.
- Kept facilities clean and organized to promote safe work environments and avoid injuries.
- Operated pallet jacks and forklifts to aid in safe transport of heavy items.
- Maintained organized work area by storing equipment safely and properly.
- Assisted other team members in navigating large loads.
- Handled packages with care while transporting from truck to loading dock.
- Maintained clean, orderly work environment free of hazards.
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Antelope Valley College
Lancaster, CASkills
- Clear Communication
- Time Management
- Dependable and Cooperative
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Customer Service
- Crew Leadership
- French Fluently
- Hard Working
- Optimistic
- Adaptability
- Ability to manage stress and work in fast paced environments
Languages
English
French
Native or Bilingual
Certification
- Food Handlers Card.
- Certified BLS ( Basic Life Support) provider.
- CNA ( Certified Nurse Assistant).
- CHHA (Certified Home Health Aide).
- Certified Mandated Reporter Of Child Abuse.
- LA Fire Card
Education
Lancaster, CA
Contact
Lancaster, CA 93535
Timeline
Patient Care Technician , (Surgical Unit and PACU)
Palmdale Regional Medical Center
09.2024 - Current
Paid Intern / Volunteer
Antelope Valley Partners For Health
07.2023 - 12.2023
PATIENT OBSERVATION ATTENDANT (LEAD)
Crothall Healthcare-Antelope Valley Medical Center
06.2023 - 12.2025
CNA (PRN)
Prestige Assisted Living
04.2022 - 08.2024
Customer Service, Maintenance, Unloader.
Antelope Valley Partners For Health
02.2022 - 04.2023
Associate of Science - Nursing
Antelope Valley College